Burial-vault.



PATENTED JULY .7, 1908.

W. SPARKS;

BURIAL VAULT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26.1907.

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l1/wanton PATENTED JULY '7, 1908.

J. W. SPARKS. BURIAL VAULT. APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 2s 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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wir use@ PATENTED JULY 7. 1908.

Jfw, SPARKS. BURIAL VAULT.

APPLICATION FILED .TUNE 26. 1907.

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-open endof the cell.

`TOHN W. SPARKS. OF SABINA, OHO.

BURIAL-VAULT T 0 all whew it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN W. SPARKS, citi- *zen of the United States, residing at Sabina, in' the county of Clinton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Imrovements 'in Burial-Vaults; and l do herey declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ol the invention, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The main object of my invention is to provide a practicable and efficient burial-vault, the same being substantially weather-tight,

dam -proof and secure against burglary.

Tot is end, my invention comprises an imroved vault structure, and improved means for closing, locking and sealing the individual cells of the vau t.

A further object of my invention is to rovide cell-doors or closures for the indivi ual cells adapted to be temporarily locked, and adapted when desired to become permanently fixed in place, so that thereafter the cells cannot be reopened except by demolishing the structure.

The accompanying drawings which are to be taken as a part of this specification, ,illustrate an appropriate embodiment of my invention, which will hereinafter be iirst fully described by reference to said drawings, and then more,p'articularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention is susceptible of other embodiments than herein lillustrated, and of various modifications as to details of construction and arrangement, s o that I do not desire' to be limited to the specific construction shown and described.

Figure 1 of said drawingsis a pers eetive view of an appropriate design of buria -vault f embodying my invention, which however may be constructed accordinr to numerous designs. Fig. 2 is a horizontaT section thereof taken through a tier of individual cells.

Fig. 3 is a front view of a vault made in sectionsanehored together. Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of the anchoring devices. Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal section tlirou h the outer portion of one cell, showin@r t e in. p lateor door, with the mechanism carried thereby, which is secured in the mouth or The lock-bolts carried by the plate are shown retracted, and their Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 26, 1907.

lock-plate and front inscri tion-tablet At ereig. 6 shows the bac face of the loek- Patented July 7, 1908.

serial No. 380,923. i

Fig. 11 is a front/view of the inscri tion tablet with the surrounding portion o the vault structure in section. Fig. 12 is a vertical section through the locking-plate and inscription tablet shown in Fig. 10,l said section being taken through onel pair of fastening-bolts.

In Figs. 1 and 2 ofthe drawings, the letter' A denotes a vault vconstructed according to my invention, made as an integral structure of solid concrete, cement or other similar material, as distinguished from a construction of separate blocks, and internally formed with a series or pluralityfbf horizontallyarranged individual' cells C. These cells are ogen only at one'end, and are respectively a apted to receive .individual cofiins or burial-caskets, though, if desired, a single cell may be made large enough to accommodate a plurality of caskets.

The integral concrete struct-ure vof thel vault is strong and durable, practically indestructible by cyclones or similar disturbances of the elements, and not liablefto deteriorate and fall apart with age, as in thefease of vaults built of se arate blocks besides which the walls of tie vault are substantially moisture-proof and vweather-tight. crease these latter characte istics and eX.- clude dampness, sweat. and ost from the cells, as well as .tojaeket the cells against influences" ofv varying l'outside temperatures, the outerwallsof tne vault (namelv, the back-wall behindthe closed endsof the cells and the side walls at vopposite sides' or the series of cells) are made hollow, or practically double-'.valled, the dead-air spaces 'therein being designated by; the letter B. As a further protection fijomr'moisture, the vault i preferably erectedabovethe surface ofthe 4ound, though my invention is notessentially restricted to a structure erected above the ground.

The general plan or design ofthe vault may be of any ap ropriate character, as likewise its exterior To inli'io nish and embellishment. Se

` exclude its construction in sections, since 1t 'indicated by the symbol A1,

.terfere with the cell formations.

- section at a may be desirable to' add to or increase the size of the vault after its erection. For example, FiO. 3 represents a construction in sections, the original vault structure being and an added section by A2. When thus constructed, the

sections are or may be secured together byanchors F placed in holes or recesses provided therefor in the adjacentj sides of the sections, the holes being filled with cement, mortar or other plastic substance which upon solidifying leaves -the anchors firmly embedded in the walls of the sections. joints between the sections are filled with cement, mortar or the like, or covered with a molding of cement or like substance. If desired, a thin coating of cement may also be applied between the sections, so as to unite .them more perfectly' and obviate any inte-- rior line of separation.

An addition to the vvault may be on the sides, or top, dr both. `Vihere such an addition is contem lated, the original structure is or may be ormed by means of cores o'r otherwise with the necessary holes for. the

anchors F, said holes, especially those at the top, being temporarily closed by metallic,

wooden or other suitable caps cemented in and over. The recesses 1n are of course arran with those in the orlginal structure, recesses are located where they will not in- The anchors F may consist of short pieces of ordinary gas pipe, the ends thereof being split, or spread outward, or mushroomed, as represented in Fig. 4, or other suitable devices may be used adapted to afford an anchorage in the plastic material. a

As shown in Fig. 9, another mode of constructing the vault in sections would be by arranging two sections, 1 and 2, back to back and far enough apart to allow additional sections 3 and 4 to be constructed between them, the latter also being arranged back to back, making, whenA complete, a cross-like structure. Anchorage in this construction'may an added section be used, though it is scarcely necessary.`

This. plan would allow the building of @ne time inthe order of the numbers designating the said sections in Fig. 9, which might for some reasons be very desirable.

in regular tiers 'or Large' tab-y The seams or ed to mate or register.

and all My invention also kco'ntem lates the manufacture of the vaults in'sections, for: the purpose of facilitating transportation,r and the joining of the sections in the manner abo-ve described, when the,` vault is erected at the desired place of installation, each section of the vault, however, being an integral structure of concrete or cement formed with one or more individual cells.

I will now describe my improved means for closinglocking and hermetically sealing the cells, whereby each cell is rendered airtight and substantially bur lar-proof, while the closure Jfor each cell is a so conveniently adapted either as a tem orary or permanent closure. This feature o `my invention is not restricted to the intergal concrete structure hereinbefore described, but is adapted for general ap lication to other constructions of burial-vau ts, as for example a vault of steel or metal. A description of the closure for one cell will suffice, since all the cellsv are equipped in like manner. f

G denotes a metal door or plate, preferably of thick' steel, adapted to fit within the mouth orv open end of the cell, and having a flange g projecting from its back or inner face. Said plate Gr being equipped with locking mechanism, may be appo riately termed a lockplate. At the ac of said plate is a pivotal or rotary disk H, or equivalent element, riginly-mounted on the inner end of an arbor I, whichis journaled in and extends through a central opening in the plate. At the front of the lock-plate, rigidly-mounted on the outer end of sald arbor, is a crank J, preferably a double crank-bar equipped with short knobs or handles y', at o posite sides lof the arbor, affording a grip. or turning the crank and thereby turning the disk H. The front of the plate G is desirabl made with va depression or counter-sink of' the crank-bar, although this is not essential. y

At preferably diametrically opposite points on the diskI H, are pivotally-attached the inner ends of oppositely-projecting lock-bolts K, which are guided through or under loops k on the back of the plate. By turning the ydisk H in reverse directions, by means of the crank-bar J, said lock-bolts K can be moved outward and inward, so as to engage in or with and disengage from suitable sockets or catches in the walls of the cells; the. turning of the crank J in one direction throwing out the lock-bolts beyond 'the perimeter of the plate, and the reverse movement of the crank retracting said lock-bolts within the perimeter of the plate. The disk H may have' a raised hub h1 which will back up the inner ends of the lock-bolts when shoved ou -ward LA' to locking position. Instead offtwo diametrically-located lock-bolts, it would be practicable to em loy three or more lock-bolts arranged attdi erent positions on theA back of' the lock-plate, and adapted to engage in correspondingly-arranged sockets or catches therefor in the cell-walls, though the arrangement shown is preferred. l

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, adjustable setscrews k1 are tapped through the loops k' and swiveled to small plates or washers k2, the latter bearing on the lock-bolts K, so as to hold them toward the plate. Or, as shown in Fig. 7, similar set-screws may pass through longitudinal slots in the lock-bolts and be tapped disk H by its spring Z. The arrangement of the ratchet-teeth h and pawl L is such as to permit turning the ratchet-disk only in a direction to project or force outward the lockboltsK, but prevent the withdrawing or retracting of the lock bolts. However, the pawl can be disengaged and held disengaged from the ratchet-disk, so as to permit turning the latter in either direction the purpose of which will appearlater. Various contrivances n may be adopted for this purpose two suitvable arrangements being represented in Figs.

6 and 7 respectively. Inlfi 6, the spring Z is shown bearing the paw L against theV ratchet-disk. To set the pawl out of engagement, it is merely necessary to place the spring under the pawl, or between the pawl and ratchet-disk, as indicated by dotted lines; the spring thus doing double duty. In Fig. 7, the spring lis shown as a tail-lever of the awl L, acting between the pivot of the aw and a stud Z1. vTo disengage the pawl om the ratchet-disk, the spring may be placed under another stud' Z2 closer to the ratchet-disk.

Between the disk H and plate G, surrounding the arbor I, is a gasket or packing M of rubber, asbestos, or other suitable compressible packing material, placed in opposed concavities in the confronting faces of the disk and plate. The compressing of this packing, effected by drawing the disk H against the plate G, crowds it around the arbor I and thereby makes an air-tight joint, so as to prevent access of air or moisture through the central opening of the plate. For1 drawing the disk a ainst the plate, oppositely arranged segmenta inclines or vraised inclined surfaces N are provided on the front of the patefun' der the respective arms of the crank-bar J, the highest portions of the inclines being under that p" sition which the crank-bar occupies when lhe lock-,bolts are thrown outward.

- tion to force out the bolts, said crank-bar will ride on the inclined surfaces and thereby draw the disk H against the plate G compressing the aforesaid packing M. One end of the crank-bar J is provided with an a ertured lug or flange jl. The front of the ate G is provided with a segmental flange g1, iaving preferably a plurality of aperturestherein, and located so as to confront the fiange jl when the crank-bar J is moved to locking position, by which is meant the osition for forcing out the lock-bolts K. Tfie hasp of a pad-lock may then be entered through registering a ertures in the flanges y" and g1, in order to ock the crank-bar in said locked position, for a purpose hereinafter explained.

The above described lock-plate G sets or fits within the mouth or open end of the cell, and against a shoulder or abutment c therein, the back flange gof the plate also fitting within the shoulder c. Said shoulder is desirably provided by abruptly enlarging the mouth of the cell, or forming a rabbet around the mouth of the cell. Behind said shoulder c are the recesses or sockets c in the cell-walls for reception of the outer ends of the lockbolts K. The front walls of said sockets c1 are faced with metal embedded in the plastic structure, the metal fastenings or catches preferably consisting of substantially Z-shaped anchors O embedded inthe structure in the manner represented in Fig. 5. The opposing surfaces of the shoulder c and plate G are formed with continuous mating or confronting grooves indicated by 'c2 and g2 respectively, designed to receive a packing or sealing substance P, as cement, asbestos, rubber or other suitable material; so that when the plate G is shoved back against the shoulder draw the plate G inward, compressing the packing or seal P between the plate and shoulder c.

Prior to depositing'a body in one of the cells, the locklate G thereof is detachable,

the spring- )aw L being disengaged from the ratchet-dis H so as to permit the lock-bolts K to be withdrawn from the recesses or catches in the cell-walls by a reverse turning of the crank-bar J. After depositing a body or casket in the cell, the lock-plate is put in position, and may be either temporarily or permanentl secured,'according to circumstances. I only a temporary r v)sureis desired, the pawl L is still held disengaged from the ratchet-disk H, so as to permit turning the crank J in either direction, for moving the lock-bolts into or out of engagement with the sockets or catches in the cell-walls. When the mechanism of the lock-plate is so adjusted for temporary locking, the crank-bar J may be locked in position by means of a pad-lock, the hasp of which may be inserted `structure,

through apertures in the flanges jl and g1 as before mentioned, so as to insure against any unauthorized or promiscuous access to the cell. Butwhen it is desired to make a permanent closure, the pawl L is released and allowed to engage the ratchet-disk H, and the lock-plate Gr is then shoved back into position against its stop or shoulder c, a supply of cement, mortar or the like, or afpacking of other suitable substance, being first interposed in the grooves c2, g2 between the lock-plate and shoulder c. The crank-bar J is then turned to force the lock-bolts K outward and into the recesses or sockets in the cell-walls; and, as said lock-bolts move outward, their inclined ends ride against the metallic anchors O, thereby drawing the lock-plate G inward. against the shoulder c, and compressing the interposed cement or packing P, while the turning of the crank-bar J on the inclines N also effects compression of the packing M around the arbor l, as before explained, thus hermetically sealing the tomb. lt is now impossible to withdraw the lock-bolts K by any means whatsoever, and access to the cell cannot be ha lexcept by demolishing the which, by reason of its strong concrete formation, is practically secure against depredation.

It may also be desirable to,erect awall of cement in the space between the end of the coffin and the steel plate or door G. For this purpose, a wooden board or other suitable plate should be fitted in the cell against the end of the eoiiin, and the space between said board or plate and the shoulder c should be filled with soft cement. The lock-plate -G would then be pushed back against this soft cement wall, and secured in position by turning the crank-bar J, so as to project the locky bolts K into the sockets therefor in the cellwalls. Later the cement will harden or set on the mechanism of the lock-plate, thus increasing the security and tightness of the seal, although this is not essential since the lock-plate and mechanism described are perfectly effective.

The inscription tablet D is inserted in the mouth of the cell after the lock-plate G is secured in position, and it may rest against the front of the lock-plate, or, if preferred,there may be an intervening space between the lock-plate and the tablet D which can be filled with cement when the cell is permanently sealed. The tablet D is desirably formed with a groove d around its perimeter,

' and the mouth of the cell is formed with a In sealing the cell, said.

mating groove a. grooves are filled with cement. and the tablet D is pushed in place, whereupon. the cement in the two grooves willmeet and set, forming a secure fastening for the tablet, also making an additional sealing for the cell. It is necessary, of course, to hold the tablet in position until the cement hardens. This may be done by any suitable means. For example, in order to place, dowel-pins either the upper or d1 may be provided in lower edge of the tablet hold the tablet temporarily 1n preferably the upper edge, as shown in Figs.

l0 andll, these pins adapted to enter recesses therefor inthe corresponding wall of the mouth of the cell. ln putting the tablet in place, the tablet would first be held in position to engage the cesses therefor, and then the tablet would be lifted., and at the same time shoved back into position. Y

Another means of holding the tablet in place, is shown in Figs. 10 and 12, where bolts or. threaded rods are entered through loops or hooks r on the face of the lock-plate G; said bolts or rods adapted to pass through holes therefor in the tablet and to receive iinished washers and nuts r1 to hold the tablet in place. The nuts r1 may be made of ornamental designs. This arrangement is especially desirable for the temporary closure. lt may also be used for the permanent sealing ofthe cell, either alone, or in combination with the means already described, the bolts holding the tablets securely while the cement in the mating grooves a; and d hardens.

l do not, of' course, desire to be limited to any specificineans for holding the tablet in lace, the means shown herein being illustrated only by way of example.

In the following claims, l intend the term concrete, as applied to the structure of the vault, to be construed as including concrete proper, or cement or admixtures therewith, and other similar plastics commonly embraced under the generic name concrete such substances being mixed with such'ingredients as broken stone, gravel, etc., if desired.

I make no claim to the lock-plate and its mechanism per se since the same constitutes the subject-matter of my divisional application filed September 6, 1907, Serial No. 391,638.

Having thusfully described my invention,

mouth of the cell against said shoulder, said shoulder and plate having mating grooves filled with sealing material, loam lechanism carried by said plate, means Ioriactuating the same from the outside of said plate, metallic devices secured 'inthe cell for enement b said locking mechanism, and a ta let fitte Within and closin the front of the cell, said tablet and the ce -walls having matg grooves filled with sealing material.

2. burial-vault `eomprisin a concrete structure having an open-ende cell therein, a plate fitted in 1he mouth of the cell, lockin f mechanism carried thereby comprising loc bolts ada ted to move outward, the cell? Walls having sockets to. receive said lockbolts, and substantially Z-shaped metallic catches embedded vin the 'Walls of the'celll and having their front endortionsdisposedrto provide metallic facings or the front Wallsl l of said sockets, for engagement by said vlockbolts.

13. A burial-vault comprising` a concrete structure containing a cell having an entrance mouth, a closure plate designed for 'means for connecting the plate 'and tablet one With the other;

f4. A burial-vault,"compr1sing a concrete -st1 "i 1cture containing a cell having an en.

trance mouth', a closure plate fitted in said lmouth., a means for permanently securing .to seat in the mouth of said plate-in place to Wholly prevent its subsequent removal, an inscriptiontablet desi edto it within said mouflwt' the outer .si e of the closure plate, a means'f'or'connecting the tablet to thel closure plate and sealing in lace.

in presence of two Witnesses.`

I JOHN W. SPARKS. 'A yWitnessesz C. R'. ELLIS, t F. E. Bo'r'rENmELD.

means for ixedly securing the tablet 4 14.0. l n testimony whereof I afiix my signature, 

